Carole is available for bi-coastal house calls, international phone consults and her current book is THE TOTAL CAT (Quill). She also sees appointments at Westside Veterinary Center in Manhattan. Subscribe to Carole's free newsletter on her website by clicking onto www.thecattherapist.com/wilbourn_way.htm

My column will appear online the second week of every month.
If you have a question guardians, please send an email to Carole. Scroll down to see my column. I can't answer every email I receive, so please check the archives. Your answer may be already there.

MY NEW CD—CARING FOR YOUR CAT, THE WILBOURN WAY, is now available. You can order it now at my Web site.

If you have or had a cat 13 and older who is fabulous, and even if he or she is no longer with us, you are invited to enter IDA’s Fabulous 13 and Older Cat Contest. Just tell us what makes your elder cat a winner and a cat that cannot be forgotten in 50 words or less! Please include a photo with your entry and send it to: thecattherapist@idausa.org or to CATS ON THE COUCH CONTEST c/o IDA at 3010 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, California 94901.

CONTEST HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH JULY

1st prize: "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved t-shirt, IDA commuter mug, and IDA greeting cards set, and phone consult with The Cat Therapist

2nd prize: "I am my cat's guardian" short-sleeved t-shirt and an IDA commuter mug.

3rd prize: IDA license plate frame and black IDA logo lanyard.

This contest is in memory of Diana-Moon-Dust, my 18 year old cat who was very, very FABULOUS.

I recently did a book signing and Q&A at Whiskers, a long established shop in the East Village that excels in feline nutrition and care. My cat, Orion, accompanied me. It’s always a plus to have a “star” along. One of my questions was from a guardian whose cat tore up paper—whatever she could get her paws on. Fortunately, she didn’t ingest it. A second cat was not an option. There weren’t any health issues. The telephone book was a much sought after object to chew.

My major recommendation was to provide her cat with her very own telephone book and to sequester her in a large crate with the telephone book and her creature comforts. This could be done when her cat was home alone and, also, when she couldn’t be interactive with her. If this interval was treated in an up-beat, special way, her cat would form a comfortable association with this “sequester time.” My book, THE TOTAL CAT, would provide her with other suggestions to correct this obsessive behavior, and the staff at Whiskers would advise her on adding nutrition to her cat’s diet.

Dear Carole,

We live in the mountains of North Carolina at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Our cat has always enjoyed being outside, but recently I couldn’t get him to come in at the usual time. He stayed out until 4:00 a.m. and appeared to be fine when I let him in. Subsequently, he is extremely fearful, won’t go out alone, and hides. I assume he was threatened by an animal of some kind since he watches the woods constantly. What can I do to help him?

Susan C.

Dear Guardian Susan,

Yes, your cat was traumatized by an animal or some other force. I’m sorry for his discomfort, but let’s make the best of his reaction. There’s an enclosure made by Kittywalk that you can be attached to his cat door and another that’s a separate unit that doesn’t have to be attached. Click here for a look and more information.

However, if your cat would prefer to stay indoors, follow his lead. His emotional welfare is important.

Hi Carole Wilbourn,

I have a male cat...who seems to have an issue with the litter box. At times he would rather stand to urinate rather than squat. He has been neutered...and it seems to be a complete urination....not just a quick spray. Why does he sometimes squat and other times stand?

Anxious to hear from you...we want to help him.

Sincerely, Karen

Dear Guardian Karen,

Your cat’s box behavior may be because he’s creative—wants a change of position, or it could be a result of physical discomfort, perhaps even pain from an old injury. Another possibility may be that he’s slightly constipated (or a bowel movement is around the corner) and it’s easier to stand. You can place some paper towels or a plastic tray near the box to absorb any puddles.

Hi Carole,

I came across your website through a Google search. I'm wondering if you might be able to help me.

My cat, seemingly out of nowhere, has become obsessed with the litter box for the past few days. I've never seen this kind of behavior before. He is in and out of the litter box literally every 15 minutes or so and usually does nothing in there but dig. He's starting to drive me crazy because in the process he is tracking litter everywhere and making an absolute mess. He is a five year old tabby cat and he's never acted like this before. I thought it would pass in a day but we're almost into day three of this and it seems really strange and out of character.

Ever heard of anything like this? Any thoughts?

Thanks for any help or insight you could provide.

All the best, Chris

Dear Guardian Chris:

Sounds like your cat’s a frustrated ditch digger. However, on a more practical note, this obsessive behavior is most likely symptomatic of some inner angst. Try to review your living experiences for the past year and note if any were significantly traumatic for either of you. Perhaps there are some changes you could make. You might need a phone consult or house call to help you clarify the issues. My book, THE TOTAL CAT, will also be of help.

But for now, use paper towels or wee wee pads in the litter box. Distract him with a favorite activity when he starts to dig. Try some relaxation exercises and they may chip away at his angst. Good luck! May your cat retire from his current occupation.

Dear Cat Therapist:

I inherited a seven year old Siamese when my mom passed away a year ago. I have three dogs so I keep her blocked off into the upper level of my house (bedrooms) and she can't come downstairs to be where the family and dogs are.

I feel so bad that she is up there alone most of the day...Is she lonely? She does cry out for us from time to time. Is there a good way to integrate a cat with dogs? Only one of my dogs takes any interest in her. The others ignore her. Would it be better for me to keep her off by herself and get her a companion kitten?

Thanks for your help, Rachel, W.

Dear Guardian Rachel:

So sorry about your Mom but happy you took her cat into your fold.

You might take your “cat-interested” dog up to see her. Your dog should be on a lead so she’ll be safe. Keep your dog at a distance and talk to them both. But don’t say “I want you to be friends.” Talk about good things and why they’re so special. If this works well, repeat several times and this will be the start of a relationship for her. Repetition is the key. She’ll have her own visiting pup.

You could also put a gate at the bottom of the stairs so they can view each other without physical contact. If there’s no hope for eventual peaceful interactions, a feline addition may be the solution. My book, THE TOTAL CAT, will give you my way to match her disposition so you can adopt the appropriate kitten/cat, as well as my method of introduction.

Best of luck to you!

Dear Carole Wilbourn:

My sweet, eight year old, black cat lost her voice. No more meows. This started shortly after her companion, Oscar, died very suddenly. She was very fond of Oscar. He was a gem of a cat. The vet has given Violet a thorough check up which included x-rays and a blood test. It doesn’t appear to be a medical problem. I did adopt two kittens because she was so very lonely. She has slowly started to accept them. They adore her. She’s become a bit perkier but still not herself. What do you make of this?

Lisa F., Calif.

Dear Guardian Lisa:

I’m so very sorry about your Oscar. Sounds like your Violet’s loss of voice may be somatic. She internalized her grief and it affected her voice. You might say she was so distraught without Oscar that she’s become “voiceless.” The related stress caused her throat to contract. Although it can’t be measured clinically, there’s discomfort in this area.

• Relaxation will help to ease Violet’s muscle tension. If she’s receptive, brush her gently and talk to her softly as you brush. Give her a light massage with your fingers around her neck and down her head. Try to do this twice a day.
• If she’s not a water drinker, you might add a teaspoon of water to each meal. A multivitamin would be a good nutritious supplement.
• Violet might enjoy a heating cushion (a cushion that can be plugged in and stays at a comfortable temperature) or a heating pad. Heat helps to soothe and relax the muscles.

The looser Violet’s body becomes, the better she’ll feel and act. Remember to credit her whenever you praise the kittens so she has a maternal link. Give her private playtime so she’s not overwhelmed by the kittens’ high energy.

You, also, want to nurture yourself. The better you feel, the better your Violet will feel.

Think of Violet as Oscar’s legacy to you and yourself as Oscar’s legacy to Violet. The two kittens can be the extra love.

Why is it that Amazon continues to sell books on ANIMAL FIGHTING? Can their business be that bad?

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you for sending along your testimonials. It lets other guardians know that their cat questions can be solved and lets me know that my column is helping cats to leave the couch.

Fabulous Felines

Don't miss out. You owe it to your cat/s. Scan photos to thecattherapist@idausa.org

Click on to Fabulous Felines and you'll see why this is a Feline Must!

Testimonials

Cat guardians, There is a new addition to CATS ON THE COUCH. Click on to TESTIMONIALS and read all about Winston and his rescue.

Stroll With Your Cats

There's a perfect and fun way to safely enjoy the outdoors with your cats. Click on to thecattherapist.com and then to Kittywalk

Cat Talk

CAT TALK is now available. Find out what your cat is TRYING TO TELL YOU. So guardians, click on to the Cat Store.

Carole's Newsletter - "The Wilbourn Way"

The Wilbourn Way Newsletter is Carole's free email newsletter, which brings you Carole's personal view on cat culture monthly..

Feral Cats

Saturday, September 9, in San Francisco, the third annual National Feral Cat Summit will take place. You don't want to miss the only conference in the U.S. devoted exclusively to feral cats. Click on to neighborhoodcats.org for details.

Feral Cats

You may even be the guardian of a feral cat—so you're aware of the beauty they possess. My late cat, Ziggy-Star-Dust was a feral kitten and the cure for my anxious, reformed attack cat, Sunny-Blue. After Sunny passed-on, Star-Dust took on many of his Sunny's traits—particularly, Sunny's Siamese cry. He was nine years old at the time but lived until seventeen. He taught me so many things, including patience and loyalty.

There is a chapter on feral cats in my book, THE TOTAL CAT, click on to my site, thecattherapist.com, for more info. You can also refer to the archives for my column, click on to Archives at top of page. There are articles from 11/04, 1/05, 11/15/05.

Let us all be socially responsible for feral cats on behalf of our own cats.

Remember, please add a picture of your cat along with your cat questions.

» CAROLE'S NEWSLETTER--THE WILBOURN WAY"